DEAR MRS. JOHNSON AND FAMILY.    WE ARE DEEPLY SADDING AT THE PASSING OF DR. EARL JOHNSON, YOUR BELOVED HUSBAND.   WE WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT THE FIRST TIME HE CAME TO PREACH AT HALETHORPE COMMUNITY CHURCH, IN HALETHORPE, MARYLAND.    HE HAD HAD CAR TROUBLE WHICH ENABLED HIM TO BE LATE, BUT NO UN DAUNTED.  HE CAME VIGOROUSLY DOWN THE ISLE AND PREACHED ON,  "   THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS."   I WOULDLOVE TO HAVE A COPY OF THAT SERMON.   THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES AS WE BEGAN TO LEARN HOW TO GO DOOR TO DOOR AND LEAD PEOPLE TO CHRIST.   SOON AFTER WE MOVED TO PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, WHERE WE FIT RIGHT INTO ANOTHER VIGOROUS CHURCH OF SOUL WINNERS.   WE ULTAMATELY WENT TO SOUTH AFRICA FOR 13 YEARS AS MISSIONARIES.     THANKYOU DR. JOHNSON FOR CHANGING OUR LIVES.   JEANNE HAYDEN, 83 YEARS OLD.

When Pastor Earl Johnson came to Halethorpe Community Church about 1970 from the Aberdeen Service Men's Center, we grew tremendously in those 2 years until the Lord moved us to Pittsburgh. He taught us how to go visiting and lead people to a saving knowledge of Christ. The first time I went out after training I saw the Lord save 3 people in one household. That caught me attention. I was excited. Many years later we were traveling towards our home in Raleigh, NC and stopped at a NC Rest Stop near the VA-NC border. As I came out of the men's room, a young couple stopped me and asked me if I was Gene Hayden. Yes, I replied. They were Earl Johnson's son and bride who had graduated from BJU and were now assisting at Grace with his father. What a privilege to know this man and his son and the effect the father had on our lives. A person note was during those 2 years his daughter, Cindy, was selling some puppies for $5. Kind of a black mixed breed. Turned out to be the best dog we ever had. Scared off potential house breakers on two occasions with his loud barking that woke us up before they got into the house. One of those times Gene was traveling and the family was home alone. Thank you Cindy for a wonderful gift from God. Pastor Johnson was certainly instrumental in preparing us for later serving the Lord as missionaries in South Africa.

I remember first meeting Pastor Johnson when I was just a small child thanks to him and his church I have come to know God and even after not seeing him for 20 years he still knew who I was and still treated me like family this world will never be the same without him but I know he finally got to meet his father in Heaven and he is at peace he will forever be missed my condolences to the entire family and everyone whose life he touched

I did not know him well on a personal  level, but that does not mean he did not have a meaningful impact on my life. Because  of this man I got to attend the only school I've ever attended.  Grace Bible Baptist Christian  School is responsible for so many of my childhood  memories. From going to Mrs. Gorham's house to losing to a certain classmate EVERY year in the jump rope contest  at track and field, some good, some bad, some sad, some happy. The point is, memories were made and I will be forever grateful for that. Not only does the school hold precious  memories  for me, but the Church does, too. Though is was not a member there, I was always welcomed with open arms when I came on Wednesday nights for service. I can honestly  say you do not get that feeling at every church. It's  because  of the kind of man Pastor was that I (along with many others) felt welcome when entering the church). Pastor, you will truly me missed. I have never met anyone with a voice as deep and booming as yours. Deep and booming, yet soft and gentle at the same time. How you managed to pull that one off is beyond me.  


"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
2 Corinthians 5:8


Pastor Johnson was not only my pastor growing up, but my Grandpa Johnson. This man has been the greatest display and culmination of God’s love. From the moment he woke up each morning, with each smile he gave everyone he came in contact with, to the endless times he would drop everything just to pray with someone, he loved hard and he pointed straight to Jesus. I attribute much of who I am to this beautiful soul and am grateful for all the ways that he’s invested in my life as well as my family’s lives. I have learned so much more about my Jesus, through Pastor, a beacon of light to this world and I pray that he enjoys his many crowns, beautiful palace and new body in heaven! Love you and see ya later, Grandpa Johnson 💕

Pastor Johnson leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion for his family and people. We are deeply grateful for the time we spent as a family at Grace Bible Baptist Church. Thank you Pastor, the Johnson family and the entire church family of Grace.

Dear family, 
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss.  Pastor Johnson was a Godly man who truly lived out his faith.  I know he is now in Heaven with my beloved LeRoy. He taught us so much and I know he will truly be missed by many.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all during this difficult time. 
                           Love in Christ,  Mary Rahe

OBITUARY

Dr. Earl M. Johnson Jr.

15 March, 1932 – 20 January, 2019

Sterling-Ashton-Schwab-Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, Inc.

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